NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans voters on Saturday overwhelmingly approved renewing three property tax millages that support textbooks, teacher salaries and essential programs like dropout prevention and provide nearly $40 million to all schools citywide, according to unofficial election returns. The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools Executive Director Caroline Roemer released the following statement after the election:

“We are grateful that the voters of New Orleans supported their public schools and showed their ongoing belief that investing in public schools is a priority. Their tax dollars are critical to ensuring that students and teachers have the resources they need to continue the great work going on in classrooms throughout this city,” said Roemer. “On behalf of all the charter schools and the families and teachers they serve, LAPCS is grateful to the voters; the Orleans Parish School Board and Superintendent Henderson Lewis for their efforts to inform the public on this issue. These renewals passed because of the tremendous support from all policymakers and organizations such as Democrats for Education Reform, Urban League, Stand for Children, and Louisiana Charter Schools in Action. All worked tirelessly to support our students in favor of the millage.”

“This election ensures our city’s schools will continue their forward educational progress for the next decade, as graduation rates are up, test scores are up, and dropout rates are down. The funds will allow us to continue to pay salaries for skilled teachers, to provide textbooks and help prevent our most vulnerable students from dropping out. Most importantly, this proves voters overwhelmingly support increasing student access to high-quality public schools citywide,” said Roemer. “These millages allow the work to continue helping our most precious resource, our children, reach their full potential. LAPCS looks forward to working with the Orleans Parish School Board and others to continue the investment voters have made in supporting our students and our schools.”

The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools (LAPCS) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to support, promote, and advocate for the Louisiana charter school movement, increasing student access to high-quality public schools statewide. Learn more about LAPCS at http://lacharterschools.org.